Douglas County approves Ramblewood preliminary plan with clustered lots, water and fire protections

Douglas County commissioners on March 10 approved the Ramblewood preliminary plan, a clustered residential proposal that will create roughly 70 home sites across about 177 acres while preserving about 60 acres as open space.

Trevor Bedford, planning staff, told the board the plan meets the Ramblewood plan‑development standards and that required off‑site sewer improvements and cultural‑resource surveys will be completed before final plat. The project includes two large agricultural lots, neighborhood trails and a roughly 1.5‑acre park, and was recommended by the Planning Commission by a 5–2 vote.

Developer Dan Sheldon and planner Daniel Jennings described a design intended to protect the site’s natural character and neighboring properties. Jennings said the project will connect to central services: “We can confirm that none of the water that will serve Ramblewood will come from the Upper Dawson,” and that the community will be included in the Parker Water and Sanitation District for water and sewer service.

The applicant stressed wildfire mitigation measures, including South Metro Fire and Rescue’s review and approval of a mitigation plan, the installation of fire hydrants and construction of a fire vehicle turnaround intended to serve both the new neighborhood and adjacent properties.

Several nearby residents spoke during public comment. Supporters cited preservation of rock outcrops, buffers and centralized water as advantages that reduce pressure on local wells and improve fire safety. Neighbor Theron Whitman, who said he lives two lots from the new development, praised the planned hydrants and the developer’s attention to topography: "For the first time, the fire department will be able to go up the road and be able to fill up," he said.

Opponents at earlier hearings objected to cluster lot sizes and whether the design fits the rural character; two planning commissioners voted against the project on that basis. The board’s approval included six conditions from staff, including evidence of inclusion in Parker Water and Sanitation District, a class‑2 cultural resources survey prior to ground disturbance, approval of off‑site sewer location and extent, protections for historic resources during construction, technical corrections to the preliminary plan exhibit, and reliance on commitments made in the public hearing record.

With the preliminary plan approved the applicant said it intends to move quickly into final plat, target construction this fall and anticipate the first homes occupied as early as winter 2027, with build‑out in 2028–29 subject to standard entitlements and permitting.

The board voted in favor and adopted the preliminary plan; the motion passed with the required majority. The county staff will monitor the location-and-extent submittal for off‑site sewer work and the required cultural surveys before the developer proceeds to final plat.